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OUR VIEWS: Boating fun isn't illegal

Jul 6, 2012

The boats gather together, music is played, and people walk from boat to boat while partying — none of which are illegal activities. It’s summer. Heck, it’s expected.

If you live or boat in these areas and don’t like it, you have a couple of options. You can find another place to spend your time. Or you can embrace the fact that people enjoy the water and let them have their fun.

It’s probably safe to say you enjoy the liberty to celebrate legally as well, whether it’s in your own backyard or in the water.

You’d be naive to choose to live on the water without realizing there’s a very strong chance that there will be people out celebrating summer on the water.

We don’t live in a retirement community. We live in a tourist community blessed with great waterways that provide the opportunity for entertainment.

The congestion of boats gathering and tethering together may be cumbersome to other boaters, but it’s not illegal. You’d be foolish to not expect congestion in our local waters during these hot boating months.

The music may be annoying to some, but it’s not illegal. If it’s too loud, the Spring Lake/Ferrysburg Police Department enforces the sound ordinance.

Walking from boat to boat may be risky, but it also is not illegal.

Ferrysburg Councilwoman Rebecca Hopp mentioned “unspeakable things” happen on the boats. Hmm, not quite sure exactly what she’s referring to with that broad comment. Unspeakable as in illegal? In that case, the authorities patrolling the area would take the proper actions.

Complainers: don’t rain on their parade. There are already necessary laws in place. More restrictions would interfere with the freedom these public waters provide for people to let their hair down and enjoy the boating season.

Our Views reflects the majority opinion of the members of the Grand Haven Tribune editorial board: Kevin Hook, Cheryl Welch, Matt DeYoung, Kevin Collier and Liz Stuck. What do you think? E-mail us a letter to the editor to news@grandhaventribune.com or log-in to our website and leave a comment below.

Comments

It's funny how you say the authorities patrolling the area would take the proper actions. Heck, no one patrols. They come down durning the week. If you think it is so great with all these boats playing music loud, littering the water, and having no respect for the people that live there why don't you buy some water and put everyone there. Most of the people on Smith's Bayou have lived there for 50 years and more. This just started a few years back, the problem with people is they have no respect for others. There may be laws but the patrol does nothing about it. I agree unspeakable things do go on these boats. You are a typical person that has no respect for the people who live there and pay taxes and pay the fee to have the water sprayed. And do not say they should of known. Sorry we were here way before the boaters. Hey if they would just tie up to each other have a little fun, keep the music down and have a respectful mouth on them and oh yeah quit the drug using. Things would probably be fine. They could also have to pay to help keep the water clean since they dirty the bayou.

You're as bad as Rebecca Hopp - you're making sweeping generalizations about a group of people based on a couple of idiots. The water belongs to all people, not just the people who live on the shore. Sorry but that's the law. And I disagree about the patrols - the Sheriff boats are in there all the time and they do a great job.

Perhaps it's time for you to consider a new area to take up residence.

LDR Stop killing all of the weeds, just because you live on the shore of the lake that does not give you the right to kill the weeds does it .Have respect for other who swim in the lake or fish in the lake, who made you king of the water way? I cannot wait to go into your personal water way and party with all of my friends. I hope to see you on the shore so i can wave to you and then get my "unspeakable things " going on,,,,, Where can i send the cheese and crackers to go with your wine?

LDR you are not "buying the water" if you live on the water. You are buying the land along the water. The water is owned by the state, and is for everyone to enjoy, not just the people living on the waterfront. You chose to live there and pay the high taxes (??), so enjoy or move.
I must say, if you think this started only a few years ago, you haven't lived here long. We used to do this in the same area 20 years ago when I was young(er). If 'unspeakable' means flashing people, don't be such a prude. Get the binoculars out!
But now they use drugs? Thank god we never did, we would have turned out degenerates like these people.
I do agree that most people now have no respect for anything, look at the litter & dog crap on the boardwalk in GH, the litter on GH ST PK beach, and the city beach. I picked up ten cans & bottles and a few wrappers at the St Park in one 40' diameter area that was 30 feet from a trash can this week. Just do what you can. The pigs are back, they are dirty, vulgar & loud, but we only have to put up with them for 3 months people. That leaves 9 months for 'us' to enjoy the beauty of the area tourist-free.

My, how nasty you people judge boaters. If you live on the bayou or not, the lake is not private property. I imagine some boaters are loud and rude. So are some Smith's Bayou residents. That is human nature.
The fact is, Hopp's judgemental, nasty comment is a gross generalization. Are bikinis "unspeakable"? What about making love in the cabin of your own boat? Are you the language police? Are Rebecca Hopp and the residents of the bayou next going to tell us what to say, and give us breathalizer tests? How would LDR know if people are using drugs?
Live and let live. Enjoy the water, and get a grip!

LDR Stop killing all of the weeds, just because you live on the shore of the lake that does not give you the right to kill the weeds does it .Have respect for other who swim in the lake or fish in the lake, who made you king of the water way? I cannot wait to go into your personal water way and party with all of my friends. I hope to see you on the shore so i can wave to you and then get my "unspeakable things " going on,,,,, Where can i send the cheese and crackers to go with your wine?

LDR, you need to get a grip on reality. Cops are there all the time, so that makes me question your judgement. If you don't like the extra taxes, MOVE off the lake. If you don't like boats on your lake, MOVE! If you have lived there to long and no longer enjoy the way the lake is used, MOVE! I hope you truly do live there, because I am going there with my jet ski this weekend and i am going to have a legally good unspeakable time on your waterfront. I may even pull my jet ski up on your beach and relax because I can, thank you.

I'll be there this weekend too and I'll be respectful of LDR and his/her neighbors - just like 99% of the boaters are. I feel bad that the 1% idiots are making it bad for you but please don't make sweeping generalizations about all boaters.